Types of icons The Iconostasis Five rows (from the top): the Forefathers (the Patriarchs); the Prophets; Feasts; the Deisis; local icons (used for veneration) The Deisis (“intercession,” “supplication”): Christ, Mary, John the Baptist, the Archangels, Peter and Paul, the evangelists, Church fathers, Saints and martyrs Christ Christ Acheiropoietos (“made without hands”) The natural “offprint” sent to Abgar, king of Edessa The Pantocrator The Lord of the Universe, positioned in the center of the principal dome Christ from the Deisis A version of the Pantocrator: appears in the full Deisis row of the iconostasis, or as a partial icon (Christ between Mary and John the Baptist) Mother of God The Mother of God “of the Sign” (a type of Orans) With Jesus in a mandorla holding a scroll; in the iconostasis the central icon of the row of the Prophets Mother of God from the Deisis The Mother of God Hodigitria (“She who shows the way”) The iconography goes back to St. Luke. The icons of Smolensk and Kazan are particularly popular. The icon shows the divinity of Christ. The Mother of God enthroned Most popular in the West in a sculpture form. ART AND RELIGION, BY O. BYCHKOV 20 The Mother of God “of Loving-kindness” (Merciful, of Tenderness, Eleousa) The “Vladimir” version introduced in the 12th c. is most popular in Russia. The icon shows the humanity of Christ. The Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrov) Feasts The main icon: The Resurrection of Christ (= the Descent into Hell; moveable feast) The feasts of the Mother of God The Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Sept. 8) The Presentation of Mary in the Temple (Nov. 21) The Annunciation (March 25) The Dormition of the Mother of God (= Assumption, Aug. 15) The feasts of Christ The Nativity of Christ (Dec. 25) The presentation of Jesus in the Temple (= “Purification of the Holy Virgin,” “Candelmas,” Feb. 2) The Theophany (= the Baptism of Jesus, Jan. 6) The Transfiguration (Aug. 6) Biblical text: Mark 9:2-9; Matthew 17:1-9; Luke 9:27-36; apostles Peter, James, John The entry into Jerusalem (= Palm Sunday, moveable feast) The Ascension (moveable feast) 20 ART AND RELIGION, BY O. BYCHKOV 21 The Pentecost (moveable feast) has two icons: The Trinity (= the hospitality of Abraham, Genesis 18) Descent of the Holy Spirit The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14) 21.